Analyst in Health Policy - Congressional Research Service

Summary

The Congressional Research Service (CRS), Domestic Social Policy Division is seeking an Analyst in Health Policy to work on issues related to biomedical and health services policy. A general understanding of the biomedical and clinical sciences is an important component of this position. In addition, an understanding of the relationship between health sciences (e.g., pharmacology, toxicology, anatomy, physiology) and federal health policies and programs will be an important element of the position.

The Analyst in Health Policy duties include providing objective, expert public policy analysis and consultation to congressional committees, Members, and staff; including preparing objective, non-partisan and innovative analytical studies on public policy issues of national or international significance; providing personal assistance as an expert on public policy issues throughout the legislative process, including analyzing, appraising, and evaluating legislative proposals; and participating in or leading multidisciplinary team research projects and seminars. The employee is also expected to develop over time the skills necessary to provide public policy and legislative analysis and consultation to congressional committees, Members, and staff at increasingly sophisticated levels.

Responsibilities

The Analyst in Health Policy will provide objective, expert public policy analysis and consultation on policies and issues related to federal food assistance and child nutrition programs for Members and committees of the U.S. Congress. The analyst will locate/interpret factual information; conduct research; prepare objective, non-partisan descriptive, background, and analytical reports; and participate in team research projects and seminars.

This position requires the ability to utilize analytical methods and techniques to analyze policy issues for the U.S. Congress. The candidate should be comfortable with quantitative approaches in research and be familiar with public policy issues related to federal food assistance and child nutrition programs. Strong writing skills, including the ability to synthesize complex analyses into easy-to- understand language for a non-technical audience, are required.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

GS-9 Grade Level: Two years of progressively higher level appropriate graduate education leading to a Master’s degree, OR

Master’s or equivalent graduate degree in fields such as economics, social sciences, public policy, OR

One year of specialized experience at the GS-07 grade level in the federal service or at a comparable level of difficulty outside the federal service.

GS-11 Grade Level: Three years of progressively higher appropriate graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree, OR

A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in fields such as economics, social sciences, public policy, OR

One year of specialized experience at the GS-09 grade level in the federal service or at a comparable level of difficulty outside the federal service.

Qualifications

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL, AND ABILITY REQUIREMENTS:

The critical knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs), gained through education, experience and/or training, needed to successfully perform the duties of the position:

GS-9 Grade Level: Knowledge of issues related to biomedical and health services policy, including a general understanding of the medical and clinical sciences and their relationship to relevant federal health policies and programs:

To provide objective background information and limited public policy analysis on federal policies and programs related to biomedical and health services policy for Members and committees of the U.S. Congress.

Ability to design and utilize research and analytical methods and techniques:

To assemble, analyze, and interpret information to identify and evaluate public policy issues and options.

Ability to write on issues related to biomedical or health services policy:

To write descriptive and background reports, memoranda, and other documents with limited analysis for Congress.

GS-11 Grade Level: Knowledge of issues related to biomedical and health services policy, including a general understanding of the medical and clinical sciences and their relationship to relevant federal health policies and programs:

To provide objective, in-depth public policy analysis and background information on federal policies and programs related to biomedical and health services policy for Members and committees of the U.S. Congress.

Ability to design and utilize research and analytical methods and techniques:

To research, analyze and synthesize complex information and evaluate implications of various policy alternatives.

Ability to write on issues related to biomedical or health services policy:

To write analytical and descriptive reports, memoranda, and other products supported by appropriate background research for Congress.